for all those passionate throes until now, left unsung, about music

Monthly Archives: June 2012

And no, I am not making a reference to the early 90s sitcom, Home Improvement. For whatever reason, when there is a phenomenal band, it seems there is a season for them, though not limited to a particularly good part of the year. Recently, Tool season crept in.

I have always been hesitant to write a blog post about such an amazing band, fearing that I will not do them justice. For those of you Tool fans who are kindly reading this (thank you), you know that often, all someone has to do is utter the word “Tool.” This utterance is like a very bold period at the end of a sentence. It is the be-all, end-all, comprehensive synonym for COMPLETELY FREAKIN’ AMAZING.

Tool is one of the top five bands that make going to the gym (more of) a pleasure. “Sweating and thinking…seems like I’ve been here before, seems so familiar…seems like I’m…” on the treadmill with a serene smile on my face? For all those SAT questions I never got right, let me try this:

Tool : Music

Intensity : Sex

Perhaps I didn’t do that correctly because, wordsmith that I am, I was never able to even get a high score on the verbal part of the standardized tests (boo, hiss, test anxiety, boo and hiss.) Simply put, as I was sweating on the elliptical, with a blissed out Richard Simmons smile on my face, Maynard crooned away in my ear with “Jambi” and “Forty-Six and Two.” These two tracks, though it is impossible to choose, are some of my most favorite. It occurred to me that people must have been wondering, if they cared at all, why I had such a huge grin on my face. Tool is the sex of music, I think. Tool is something more than just a band. Tool is an experience, a way of life even. Tool is a thinker’s band.

They are so intense that they require moderate listening, I think. It’s like a good wine. You appreciate it more in smaller and less frequent doses. I really could go on and on but I won’t. I will simply say that if you like Tool, raise your hand so I can give you a virtual high five.

You could also post your favorite tracks in the comments below, but not before you appreciate this: